Jane Fallon revealed that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks after speaking on the Second Act podcast about her respect for the ageing process and healthy sense of mortality.
The 65-year-old best-selling author, who’s been in a relationship with Ricky Gervais for over 40 years, told Ateh Jewel that she wasn’t scared of getting older. “We all get older, literally,” she said. “It's one of the two things that is true in life. We're all going to die at some point. And until that point, we're all going to get older every single day. So I think we should appreciate it more and not be so scared of it and not try and pretend we're not.”
She added: “I’m not scared about it from any point of view, other than I don't want to do less. I want to be me, a healthy me, for as long as possible. If I can still do what I love to do, then fine.”
Jane also talked about how she looks after her body in midlife — and it’s all about prioritising being healthy and active over vanity. “Turning 70 is a big one,” she said. “There is nothing I don't like about getting older except my fricking joints. If I could still work out and do all the things that I wanted to do, I wouldn't care. I don't care about looking older. I'm not going to mess with myself. I think we should all stop lionizing youth so much and embrace the fact we all start to look older.”
Exercise and mental health
She went on to explain how she’s adapted her fitness routine as she’s grown older. “I have a knee situation I am gearing up for so I can’t run any more,” she said. “I was a runner and also I love the gym. I love heavy weights. It's good for your mental health and you get very good ideas afterwards. Every time I come out of the sauna I have to write that down. I used to love boxing but at the moment I can't do any of that but I can still do the Peloton. So I am on the bike as much as I can. And I also walk a lot, but I like to do something that really sweats it out to me or lifts it out.”
Jane also spoke in the intimate interview about how she loved how “bonkers” she had become since perimenopause. “I think in perimenopause, women go mad in a really good way…really brave and bonkers,” she said. “We get a flush of hormones that means women in their 50s look incredible.. and get this kind of bravado.”
She also spoke candidly about how she had been "too anxious" to have children. "As I got older, I just realised it wasn't for me," she revealed. "And I think part of it is I'm a real catastrophiser. I would stifle the life out of my kids. I can't even let my cat out. I just find it really hard. I just thought I'll be a better auntie and kind of auntie to my friends' kids than being a mother. I just don’t think I'd be very good at it because I thought I'd be too anxious."
Jane took to Instagram on Thursday, March 12th, to reveal the news of her diagnosis, as an explanation for why she’s been quiet on social media in recent weeks. “Bit of news (no one panic),” she wrote. “About a month ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer - very early stage, thankfully, and the prognosis is excellent. I had a routine mammogram a week before Christmas. I had no symptoms, but the brilliant radiographer spotted something iffy and sent me for further tests and eventually a biopsy.”
© GettyShe went on to describe her planned surgery. “Since then, I’ve had more mammograms, more biopsies and an MRI so they can pinpoint the problem area precisely,” she said. “It’s been a lot, I’m not going to lie. But my surgery is scheduled for the week after next, and I just want to get it over with now. I’m getting incredible care, and all will be fine, but I’m not engaging with much beyond audiobooks and jigsaws, to be honest. Dr Eric is on duty. Nurse Pickle is wondering when lunch is.”
Jane was a wonderful, warm and thoughtful guest on Second Act and we loved what she had to say about getting older. We’re wishing her lots of love as she faces a tricky time — with Ricky and her beloved pets by her side, as ever.
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